Knowing head lice facts are essential in order to treat infestations and prevent reoccuring infestations of head lice. Head lice are parasitic insects that live in the hair and scalp of humans. They develop in three forms: nits, nymphs, and adults.
Nits are head lice eggs. They are hard to see and are often mistaken for dandruff or droplets of hairspray. Nits are found firmly attached to the hair shaft and are oval-shaped in a yellow or white color. Nymphs are what nits hatch into. Nymphs are immature adult head lice and mature into adults about 7 days after hatching. To live, nymphs must feed on blood.
Adult head lice are about the size of sesame seeds. In persons with dark hair, adult lice will look darker. Adult lice can live up to 30 days on a persons head and to live, adult lice need to feed on blood. If head lice falls off a person, it dies within 2 days.
Important Head Lice Facts
One of the most important head lice facts to know are how they are spread.Head lice are spread easily from person to person by direct contact. People can get head lice by coming into close contact with an already infested person. In children, contact is common during play, while riding the school bus, and during classroom activities in which children sit in groups close to each other.
One can also get head lice by wearing infested clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, or hair ribbons. Using infested combs, brushes, or towels is another way to get head lice. Also, lying on a bed, couch, pillow, carpet, or stuffed animal that has been contaminated is another way to get head lice.
